Callibaetis Nymph

Callibaetis mayflies are the most important hatching insect in Western lakes and ponds, providing year-round feeding opportunities for lake-dwelling trout. Their spotted nymphs are active swimmers — fish the imitation on a slow, intermittent retrieve through weed beds in lakes, or dead-drift it in slow spring creek eddies. The speckled tan and olive coloring matches the natural precisely. Best fished on a floating or intermediate line in stillwaters.

Type

nymph (Mayfly)

Hook sizes

#12–16

Target species

trout

Difficulty

intermediate

Best seasons

spring, summer, fall

Materials

• hook: Nymph hook #12–16
• thread: Tan or gray 8/0
• tail: Pheasant tail fibers (3), slightly spread
• body: Tan or gray-olive dubbing, slim
• ribbing: Fine gold wire
• wingcase: Pheasant tail or mottled turkey

Tying steps

1. Mount a size 12–16 hook; start tan or gray thread at the bend.
2. Tie in pheasant tail fibers as 3 tails, spreading them slightly.
3. Tie in fine gold wire ribbing.
4. Wind a slim, tapered body of tan or gray-olive dubbing to the 2/3 mark.
5. Counter-wrap gold wire rib in 5–6 spirals.
6. Tie in a pheasant tail wing case over the 2/3 mark.
7. Dub a slightly fuller tan thorax ahead of the abdomen.
8. Fold the wing case forward; sweep a few soft hen fibers back as legs.
9. Whip finish and cement.